Hurricane Sandy: Business Aviation Responds

Business Aviation in Action

In the aftermath of the Hurricane Sandy, people and organizations from across the business aviation community mobilized to coordinate pilots, aircraft, flight-planning services and other assets to move relief and supplies into the disaster area.

To share your story of how business aviation helped support relief efforts, email NBAA's Dan Hubbard at dhubbard@nbaa.org.

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Rotorcraft Play Important Role in ‘Superstorm’ Sandy Relief EffortNovember 29, 2012
New York-area helicopter operators came to the rescue in the aftermath of ‘Superstorm’ Sandy, delivering more than 12 tons of urgently needed supplies to one the areas hit hardest by the storm. Last month, nine helicopters flew a total of 20 sorties from a base of operations at New Jersey's Linden Airport (LDJ) to Staten Island (NY) University Hospital, delivering 25,000 pounds of supplies to the care facility. The airlift was organized by the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC), as part of its Helicopter Emergency Response Program. Read more about Sandy relief efforts.

AZ Organizations Donate Tons of Supplies for Sandy VictimsNovember 19, 2012
Nearly 8,000 pounds of donated supplies were sent from Arizona to portions of New York and New Jersey hit hardest by "Superstorm" Sandy, thanks to support from several companies. The Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA) partnered with non-profit relief organization AERObridge to coordinate the successful air-and-ground transport mission. "It was wonderful to be able to demonstrate what business aviation can do for the community,” said AZBAA President Ken Casey. "We had unbelievable support from the companies involved." Read more about the relief effort.

Cessna Pilot Flies Sandy Relief Supplies to Those in NeedNovember 8, 2012
Pilot Michael McConnell said the desire to just "do something to help" spurred him to assist the victims of "Superstorm" Sandy. "I saw a posting on NBAA Air Mail about organizations with supplies that needed ways to have them delivered. I worked with AERObridge and with Feed the Children, which had supplies waiting in Elkhart, IN," McConnell said. "Before I knew it, I was heading there Sunday." Read more about McConnell’s mission.

Northeast Helicopter Operators Ready to Fly Storm Relief Missions November 8, 2012
The Eastern Region Helicopter Council has activated its Helicopter Emergency Response Program to help those in need following Sandy and a nor’easter that hit the area this week. "It might be a step back from Sandy, but it's still an example of kicking a dog when it's down," said Jeffrey Smith, chairman of ERHC, of the nor'easter. "There are still 1.2 million people without power across the area, and we're concerned this might be the tipping point for areas that barely held on through the hurricane." Comprised of helicopter operators from Washington, DC to Boston, MA, the ERHC has activated its Helicopter Emergency Response Program, which involves more than 30 private companies along the East Coast. Operators have made their aircraft and crews available for ongoing emergency relief efforts from the powerful storm. Read more about ERHC.

Help Is on the Way: Business Aircraft Fly Supplies Into Areas Ravaged by SandyNovember 2, 2012People throughout the northeastern United States are still without shelter, utilities and access to food and medical care in the aftermath from “Superstorm” Sandy. As federal agencies and charitable organizations help those in need, the business aviation community has stepped in to provide urgently needed assistance. “Operators have donated these aircraft and crews, and they are prepared to fly wherever and whenever they are needed,” said Douglas Schultz, board member of AERObridge, which coordinates donated aircraft for critical transport during disasters. As of Saturday evening, AERObridge had coordinated 32 flights, and been involved in more than 18 additional flights to five collection sites. Schultz estimated the organization had assisted in the delivery of 94,000 lbs. of relief supplies Learn more.